Automotive fluoroelastomers and butanol‐gasoline blends ‐ a material compatibility study

Automotive Fluoroelastomers are usually made up of copolymers of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and vinylidene fluoride (VDF); terpolymers of hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) as well as perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) (PMVE) and certain additives. The fluorine content in them varies from 66 % to 70 %. Because of their remarkable resistance to both heat and chemicals, they are suggested for many applications where these qualities are required. These are some of the most suited materials to be used as gaskets, gasoline hoses, O‐rings and seals in automotive (both air and land) and oil sectors. Since the main purpose of these materials is to serve as barriers, understanding how they behave in the presence of alcoholic fuel mixes is crucial since the physicochemical degradation of the fluoroelastomer affects their mechanical qualities. The goal of this work is do an in‐depth analysis of behavior of polymer when exposed to ethanol‐butanol‐gasoline (EB), methanol‐butanol‐gasoline (MB) and acetone‐butanol‐gasoline (ABE) blends. The coupons were immersed in these fuel blends for 4 days, 30 days and 90 days. The coupons were analyzed for mass changes and change in mechanical quality The variation in the properties of polymer were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.